Two inmates sentenced to death for escape, killing guard

Two inmates who killed a guard during a jail escape last year received a death sentence today from the Intermediate People’s Court in Harbin.

Gao Yulun, 50, was sentenced to death for intentional homicide and breaking out of jail using violence, while Wang Damin, 35, was sentenced to death for breaking out of jail using violence, larceny, causing intentional injury and intentional destruction of property. Wang also was ordered to pay a penalty of 50,000 yuan ($7,840).

A third man, Li Haiwei, 29, was sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional homicide and breaking out of jail using violence.

The three inmates appeared calm when they heard the trial’s verdict in the capital of Heilongjiang province.

Wang and Li said they will appeal to a higher court, while Gao accepted the punishment.

The three escaped from a jail in Yanshou county, about 150 kilometers from Harbin, in the early morning of Sept 2, 2014, after killing the guard. After the escape, more than 15,000 police officers were deployed in the hunt and authorities offered a reward of 150,000 yuan for information leading to their capture.

At the time, Gao already was awaiting execution for a previous crime. Wang was jailed for assault leading to death and Li for murder.

Li was captured the next day and Wang a day later. Gao was reported to police by his niece’s family when he showed up at their home in the county’s Wangjiatun village on Sept 11, nine days after his escape.